US favours early election in B'desh: Chabot

Dhaka, Feb 22 (UNI) The United States would like to see general election in Bangladesh sooner than later as Washington thinks it would give the wrong signal if the elections were held back for years, said US Congresman Steve Chabot.

''Certainly, we would like to see the elections sooner than later. Bangladesh, after all, is a democracy and democracies have elections''. We won't like to see drag on the election for long period of time, Mr Chabot told reporters here today.

Chabot, who had a series of parleys with the government and leaders of the political parties during his brief stay here, said the current caretaker government is now cracking down on corruption and undertaking some reforms which should be addressed in a short period of time.

On her meeting with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, the American lawmaker said both the leaders indicated an early holding of the elections but did not specify the time.

Asked if foreign investors could feel discouraged by the absence of an elected government, he said, "I think one of the things that speak highly about Bangladesh is that it is a democracy and it has elected leaders, which are respected by the United States and countries across the world." He, however, added that if Bangladesh has no elected government year after year, it would send wrong signal to the companies who might be interested in making investments in the country.

Asked if he got any indication from Chief Advisor of interim caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed about possible timeframe for holding the stalled elections, he said it is not for the United States to determine the specific dates for the election but for the people and the government.

He also appreciated the caretaker government for the crackdown on corruption but underlined the importance of exercising the basic civil and human rights adding that those in jail should be treated with respect.

''They should not be abused or tortured and no violent method should not be used against them, and that is important for the US government,'' he said.

On his meeting with Nobel Laureate Prof Mohammad Yunus, who is going to join active politics, he said Prof Yunus has been successful in his arena of micro-credit, but it is to be seen if he is equally successful in politics.

He, however, rejected the perception that the US is supporting the idea of Prof Yunus joining politics, saying, ''US will be an observer. We support democracy, free election and human rights.

We like to see that continue in Bangladesh.'' Mr Chabot also made it clear that, ''We are not pushing our policy on the government of Bangladesh. Our role is to encourage early elections.'' UNI